I am a writer and editor living and working in New York City. I am Editor of the Roosevelt Institute's Next New Deal blog and my writing has appeared on The Nation, The Atlantic, GOOD Magazine, AlterNet, and others. From women's issues to wonking out, I'm always looking for the stories that can shape the debate. Previously, I was a financial reporter and head of the energy sector at mergermarket, a newswire that is part of the Financial Times Group. Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/brycecovert.

Sequestration Will Harm Domestic Violence Victims as Rates Rise

It looks like we may finally get a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, landmark legislation that has helped lead to a 67 percent decrease in the rate of intimate partner violence since it was first authorized. Republicans’ stalling on such important legislation has been atrocious. But perhaps worse is that even if VAWA is authorized, other congressional legislation, sequestration, could still slam victims of domestic violence.

It’s becoming increasingly clear to most that sequestration, if it really takes effect on Friday, will carry extreme consequences for a host of important government programs that mean survival for many Americans. I’ve previously reported that it would mean decreased housing assistance for the poor and homeless, fewer delivered meals for seniors, and less nutrition support for low-income mothers.

Domestic violence programs will not be spared. If Congress doesn’t act to avoid sequestration, programs funded by VAWA will lose more than $20 million, according to the Department of Justice. That would mean 35,927 fewer victims of violence will be able to access lifesaving services and resources such as shelter, legal help, and support for children. It would also mean 34,248 fewer police, prosecutors, judges, and victim advocates would get domestic violence training to effectively respond to these incidents.

This news would be disturbing at any time, but it is perhaps particularly disturbing right now. That’s because the continuing pain felt throughout the economy has a huge impact on domestic violence. I’ve previously written about the fact that states have been cutting domestic violence program funding in the wake of the recession just as rates of violence have been on the rise. In fact, the Mary Kay Foundation found that the economy has led to a huge increase in demand for domestic violence services for the fourth year in a row. Eight out of ten shelters across the country reported an increase in women seeking help last year. While the bad economy doesn’t directly cause violence against women, the strain of financial struggle is often a trigger. Seventy percent of victims said that financial issues were a factor in their abuse, and 45 percent pointed to job loss. Nearly 60 percent of shelters also report that the abuse is more violent than before the economic crisis.

At the same time, the economy makes it even more difficult for women to leave abusive situations. Nearly three-quarters of women stayed with their abuser longer because of economic reasons. Most try to find a job after staying in a shelter, yet 62 percent of survivors couldn’t find one, leaving them with very few options. Returning to an abusive partner may appear to be a financially rational choice.

At the same time, nearly half of the shelters have had to decrease the services they offer. That comes after nearly 80 percent saw received decreased government funding.

All of this has been taking place long before sequestration. And now we’re on track to make things even worse for the victims of domestic violence across the country. If Congress can’t find a way to stave off these deep cuts, it will be a political and moral failing of epic proportions.

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